Friday, July 28, 2000

Rants From the Upper Deck: Mid-Season Edition by Steve Reynolds

Since this third edition of Zisk has been ever so painfully delayed,
the Ranter has had enough opportunities to view the game to issue my annual
mid-season report. First off, two words that make Yankee fans pray to the God of
their choosing—Chuck Knoblauch. He has fallen so far this season that
even I have some sympathy for him. Sure, King George is grumbling about
the Yanks so far, and keeps dreaming of Mr. Pepsi Challenge, Sammy Sosa,
to beef up a stagnant offense. But how about trading for a competent second
baseman/table setter? If I were Mr. Steinbrenner, I would break those
“unspoken” promises to Chuck agents, the Hendricks brothers (who also
handle Roger Clemens) about a contract extension, and ship Mentalblauch
out—fast.

We could have a Sox double shot in the playoffs this year. The Red Sox slot
(either as a division or wild card winner) is a given with Pedro every
five days. But who would expect to write this—the Chicago White Sox are in
first. I say it again—the Chicago White Sox are in first. Who the heck are
these guys? Even though Mike Hargrove is struggling to get the overpaid
Orioles to work, his worth as a manager is being proved as the Indians muddle
through this year. And the low budget Kansas City Royals are hanging around
.500, making the AL Central perhaps the division to watch this year.

Of course, the A.L. West looks just as fun, as Oakland continues their
improvement from last year, Seattle proves trading Ken Griffey Jr. was a
solid move, and the Angels continue to rid themselves of last year’s nightmare.
Even Texas
has a shot at playing .500 ball—who says parity isn’t fun?

In the N.L., the Braves are playing as if John Rocker doesn’t disturb
them at all. In fact, I think the Braves have a bit of late ’70s Yanks in
them—bring on the clubhouse squabbles, and we’ll take out our frustrations on
the opposing team. The only team that may give them a run for their money is my
N.L. Central pick, the St. Louis Cardinals. (More on the Mets in a second) Jim
Edmonds must be Mark McGwire’s new best friend. And Darryl Kile,
welcome back from oblivion, a.k.a, Colorado,
my friend. Speaking of the Rockies, what are
they doing competing with Arizona?
This fantasy will fade.

The Mets are likely to get the wild card again, but that’s where the ride
will end. This team is good, but just doesn’t seem to have that special feeling
last year’s team had at the end of the season. Of course, bringing back Lenny
Harris as a sidekick for Mike Piazza can’t hurt.

Unfortunately, there’s really nothing this season for the Ranter to get
pissed about. Sure, 17-4 scores are more common, but I think I’ve seen even
more 3-2 tightly fought games this year. The umpires being folded into one body
has been odd, but the adjustment doesn’t look that tough for the best pitchers.
Well, there’s a crazy realignment plan that’s bound to happen, so that’ll get
my blood pressure going.

The Ranter’s Mid-Season Awards:

A.L. MVP: Carl Everett, Boston
Red Sox. Why didn’t he play like this for the Mets? He's other reason that Boston is scaring the
Yankees this year. (See below)

N.L. Cy Young: (tie) Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Al
Leiter, New York Mets. Sure it seems crazy with Johnson’s stats this year,
but Leiter has been THE MAN for
the Mets. He pitches, they win.